Digital technology has transformed the ways by which we think about design and craft. In today's digital world makers have access to a wider variety of tools, materials and processes than ever before. Coding, digital fabrication and data have become integral to the ways objects are designed, manufactured, distributed and consumed, influencing our relationships with them and how they inhabit our world.

.OBJ: Digital Handmade at the National Design & Craft Gallery showcases the works of Irish and International makers, whose practices are situated at the intersection of the digital and analogue. These makers draw on emerging digital tools and processes to experiment with material practices that are rooted in craft and design traditions, building objects that question and shape our world.

This exhibition at National Design & Craft Gallery, presents the outcomes of hybrid practices that allow us to rethink the role of technology within the historical trajectory of object-making - re-evaluating how we value craft and define the 'hand-made'.

Nora O Murchú is a curator & designer, whose research examines the intersections between the fields of art, design, software studies, and politics. Her multi-disciplinary practice embraces narratives, and fictions and results in objects, exhibitions, and interventions.

National Design & Craft Gallery is delighted to be open through the Christmas holidays to ensure you can get your craft and culture fix! We will close briefly on Christmas Day, Stephens Day and New Years Day, and otherwise are delighted to be open throughout the other days. We look forward to welcoming you over the holidays!

Wishing you and yours a happy and peaceful holiday.

NDCG CHRISTMAS OPENING:

National Design & Craft Gallery is delighted to be open through the Christmas holidays to ensure you can get your craft and culture fix! We will close briefly on Christmas Day, Stephens Day and New Years Day, and are delighted to be open throughout the other days. We look forward to welcoming you over the holidays!

Contemporary Clay Processes Thurs 6 Sept, 6pm

The 2018 finalists of Future Lights, a Europe-wide ceramic graduates competition, discuss and present their work to a panel of judges in the Parade Tower. The showcase of competition pieces will be on display in the Parade Tower, Kilkenny for one day only. Free to attend. Book here

Celebrate Culture Night with our exciting range of free drop-in craft making workshops and activities suitable for all ages. Live music with Ossory Youth music group and a showcases by Open Circle will also take place on the night . Book here

Late Date: Meet The Maker Thurs 18 October, 6.30pm

Join artist and designer Paul Bokslag, as he discusses his inspiration and processes involved in creating his Revolve installation on exhibit at our .OBJ exhibition. Book here

Science Week Programme 14 & 15 November , 11am - 4pm

Learn about digital fabrication with a series of demonstrations from our visiting fab lab, including laser cutting, 3D printing and more.

There are many types of mask in the world, they allow us to hide our face, protect us from harm, or even help us to become someone else for a moment in time. Join Threadstories to explore the mysterious world of masks. Using textiles to create playful pieces children will have the opportunity to learn about making wearable craft creations.

Get crafty this Christmas with our festive making evenings. Locally produced mulled beverages, hot chocolate, mince pies and music provided. Print your own Christmas cards and make festive porcelain decorations. €30 Book here

Join Maeve Sookram of Sevensisters Ceramics to make unique clay decorations that you will cherish! Children will learn to imprint on clay, how to use clay slabs for construction and create their very own festive clay decorations. Maeve is a member of the DCCoI Education Panel.

Join print artist Debra Bowden for this months Craft Club at National Design & Craft Gallery, to learn the basics of the ancient craft of Japanese woodblock printmaking. Inspired by Common-works prints in .OBJ, children will make black and white prints from carved woodblocks onto kozo Japanese paper.